New theater planned for Andersonville

Andersonville is buzzing about a possible new theater on Clark Street. And David Cerda is buzzing about a possible new home for his campy Hell in a Handbag Productions.

The developers of the planned new venue are Ashley and Brandon Wright, the fraternal owners of Andersonville's Hamburger Mary's eaterie, which already presents cabaret-style shows in its upper room. Cerda said Tuesday that he and the Wright brothers have long been talking about a development at 5419 N. Clark St., that would combine a 100-seat mainstage and a 44-seat cabaret space along with a bar. Hell in a Handbag, known for such shows as a live version of "The Poseidon Adventure" would be the resident company. Conversations are also ongoing with About Face Theatre.

"We would have a home," Cerda said.

On Tuesday, an Andersonville-neighborhood blog published a rendering of the proposed new space. Many local residents expressed support for a new performance venue on the arty neighborhood's main drag. Theater fans in the North Side neighborhood still mourn the conversion of the historic Calo Theatre from the former home of the Griffin Theatre to a resale shop.